Happy Holidays! This time of year offers us a chance to reflect, and we’re so grateful for what we’ve been able to accomplish together. Did you know that on average, we provide 47 services to each youth who comes to us for help?

Picture what this might look like in action: an unhoused 17 year old comes to our Drop-In Center after connecting with a member of our outreach team – someone who is close to their age, maybe even speaks their first language. They get lunch at the Drop-In Center every day for a month. They pick up 3 hygiene kits and a few pairs of warm socks. They attend a 6-week group therapy program like the Blues Program where they learn strategies to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. They stay for a long afternoon and create a piece of art. They meet with a representative from LAUSD to discuss the possibility of re-enrolling in school.

THIS is what makes The Village so unique: the impact we are able to have is deep and comprehensive. We provide basic needs and resources, but we also work to help young people address their trauma and build resilience: skills that can last a lifetime.

Help us reach more young people with a year-end gift

This holiday season, we hope you’ll join us in being a beacon of hope for unhoused and foster youth in our community. Your year-end gift can give them the support, stability, and resources they need to build a brighter future. Even better? With our $25,000 match, your gift can go twice as far. Turn $5 into $10, $50 into $100 or $500 into $1,000 today!

A New Home for Transitional Age Youth

The Village is excited to announce that, in partnership with Hope The Mission, we will be opening a new housing facility for transitional-age youth experiencing homelessness.  Together, we will convert a motel into 26 units of interim housing, plus space for wraparound supportive services, which will be provided through The Village! Stay tuned for more information, and sign up below to hear about future volunteer opportunities to help us get this space ready!

Meet Cesar, Associate Mental Health Therapist at The Drop-In Center

Associate Mental Health Therapist Cesar Guijarro joined The Village in May 2024 and has already made a significant impact in supporting transitional-age youth (16-24) experiencing homelessness.

At the Drop-In Center, Cesar provides crucial mental health services, from regular check-ins to crisis intervention. He’s found that many clients who initially come in for basic needs end up seeking consistent weekly therapy sessions, demonstrating the vital importance of accessible mental health care.

We are United to End Youth Homelessness

At the end of October, The Village hosted a successful and inspirational inaugural summit, United to End Youth Homelessness. Over 150  leaders, service providers, and stakeholders gathered to explore age-appropriate strategies for addressing youth homelessness. Dr. Daniel Siegel  gave an insightful keynote on the role of relationships in shaping the human mind, a reminder that the connections we build are as impactful as any service we provide. Professional and youth panelists bravely and openly offered critical insight. Thanks to those who participated and attended – we can’t wait to do it again!

6736 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 200
North Hollywood, CA 91606
www.thevillagefs.org

The Village Family Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Tax ID number 95-4625826

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